One of the things I do as part of my ‘discernment’ about possible ministry in the CofE is read books from different perspectives… one such book is ‘The Christian Priest Today‘ by Michael Ramsey, it’s a book all about ‘being a priest’, but I struggle with the way it’s often written because it’s coming from quite a Catholic position… one bit I do think is great though is his words on the priestly, intercessory role in prayer…
Now we can begin to see what is our own role of men of prayer, as priestly intercessors. We are called, near to Jesus and with Jesus and in Jesus, to be with God with the people on our heart…
…And because you are with him and near him whose name is love you will have the people you care for on your heart. In this way adoration turns into “intercession”, the bringing of people and needs and sorrows and joys and causes into the stream of the divine love. Be with God (adoration) with the people of God on your heart (intercession). It is like Aaron of old who went into the holy of holies wearing a breastplate with jewels representing the tribes of Israel whose priest he was: he went near to God with the people on his hear.
